Kraan - Flyday (1979)

 

After Wiederhoren which is my favorire Kraan album ,I was not too happy when this album came out.I did not think it was the same quality and was a let down. Jan Friede the great original drummer was replaced by Udo Dahmen.Dahmen it a good drummer ,but I have a soft spot for Jan.

Now for the album.

Far West is a wonderful opener,a classic Kraan instrumental.Short and dreamy.Like walking without touching the ground.Love it,but a bit short.

My Brother Said,is stoner rock kraut style.OK.

Ausflug is amazing.Another one of those instrumentals, that these guys always have one or two of on each album. Got 3 parts: Slowish intro which drifts along nicely,for then to shift into a great upbeat groove,carried by guitar with a hypnotic bassline in the back.Then it drits back into a groove like the beginning,for then to fade out.Definately the high point on this record. An I-Tunes purchase if there ever was one.

Gayu Gaya.Nice lazy groove in the beginning,but drifts into a bit of a messy middle.Not too exciting for me.

You're Right.So so,upbeatish tune.

Young King'd Son.Nice slow paced song but the lyrics are silly and gets a bit annoying.

Buy Buy.Nice kind of instrumental.Kinda,because Buy Buy are the only lyrics.Melody is a nice one of those slow melodies,but the singing is kinda in the way,though there are not too many of them. Does that make sense?

Flyday.Very mellow instrumental,but it doesn't really go anywhere.

3* may be a touch much.But the 2 songs Far West and Ausflug really are amazing,I will be generous. Good,but not essential.

The cover made by Peter Wollbrandt ,the guitar player is quite unique. Hellmut Hattler and Peter have done most of their own covers.Well done.Review from Progarchives.com

Songs / Tracks Listing

 1. Far West (2:29)
2. My brother said (3:40)
3. Ausflug (7:13)
4. Gayu Gaya (5:06)
5. You're Right (5:55)
6. Young King's Song (5:35)
7. Buy Buy (3:33)
8. Flyday (3:21)

Line-up / Musicians

- Ingo Bishof / Moog synthesizers
- Udo Dahmen / drums
- Helmut Hattler / bass, percussion, backing vocals
- Peter Wolbrandt / guitars, vocals, strings, percussion

Kraan - Andy Nogger (1974)

I'm a little bit surprised that nobody reviewed this album before. Kraan is not the best known band relating to the terrific genre 'Krautrock' but definitely a good one. "Andy Nogger" is their third output and can be regarded as their best, at least it was the album that marked their breakthrough, speaking about sales figures. The album was released shortly before their first live album and many songs can be found on both albums. Sometimes you get the impression that the live versions got more famous because the immense pleasure of playing live makes the songs sound better. But this fact doesn't reduce "Andy Nogger". Far from it, this album is one of my favorite Krautrock recordings.

The style can be described with mentioning the more jazzier atmosphere, sometimes it sounds like a jamsession. I think that's due to the terrific percussion and bass work wich creates a perfect base for the melody and solo performances of the guitar and the saxophone. Vocals can be heard here and there. They can be described as the typical strange Krautrock vocals but maybe not as strange as other Krautrock vocal performances. The funny thing is that someone in the booklet compared them to 'Yes' but that's something I really can't countersign. Maybe their style sounds more connected to the symphonic prog than other Krautrockers like Guru Guru, Amon Düül II. Just like 'Wallenstein' who also have a differing style, sounding more symphonic. Highlight of the album is for sure "Holiday am Materhorn". Conspicuous is the great percussion work and the strong bass. The diverse solos sound really great. No vocals on this one. But in general you will find no bad songs on "Andy Nogger", seven outstanding Krautrock pieces with a symphonic and jazzy general sound.

So if you are looking for Krautrock and don't know where to start, "Andy Nogger" may be the right thing to purchase. Kraan is a highly underrated band, try it and I'm sure you will agree. So I really recommend Kraan and especially "Andy Nogger"...KRAAN Andy Nogger music reviews and MP3 (Review from progarchives.com)

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Stars (5:17)
2. Andy Nogger (3:50)
3. Nam Nam (5:50)
4. Son of the Sun (5:02)
5. Holiday am Marterhorn (7:40)
6. Home (5:40)
7. Yellow Bamboo (4:25)

Total Time: 37:44

Line-up / Musicians

- Jan Fride / drums, percussion
- Helmut Hattler / bass, vocals
- Johannes Pappert / Alto saxophone
- Peter Wolbrandt / guitar, vocals

Kraan - Stars [Andy Nogger] 1974

Kraan Andy Nogger Nam Nam

Kraan Andy Nogger Holiday am Marterhorn

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Kraan - Let it Out (1975)

Something of a transitional album: keysman Ingo Bischof (ex-Karthago) was introduced as sax player "Alto" Pappert was being phased out. The Kraftwerk parody "Die Maschine" appears because they needed extra material to fill out the album, but Alto wasn't there, so they improvised something with studio effects.

Elsewhere, the band are beginning to go for a slicker, more straight-ahead fusion sound. Which is not bad, as it's something they absolutely excel at. Just check out the shifting tempos of "Luftpost".KRAAN Let it Out music reviews and MP3 ( Review from progarchives.com)

A special note: the American Passport label contains remixed versions of several songs which were not included on the remastered Intercord CD. With the exception of the version of the title track (the US version truncates the short intro) and the fact that "Heimweh nach Übersee" is retitled "Overseas Bound", the versions aren't largely different, though.

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Bandits in the Woods (4:20)
2. Luftpost (5:12)
3. Degado (4:54)
4. Prima Klima (4:40)
5. Let it Out (5:47)
6. Die Maschine (4:45)
7. Heimweh nach Übersee (3:07)
8. Picnic International (5:20)

Total Time: 38:05

Line-up / Musicians

- Hellmut Hattler / bass
- Peter Wolbrandt / guitar, vocal
- Johannes Alto Pappert / Alto saxophone
- Jan Fride / drums
- Ingo Bischof / keyboards
- Jan Fride / drums

Kraan 1975 Let It Out

KRAAN''DEGADO''

Kraan Bandits in the Woods

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Kraan - Wiederhoren (1977)

KRAAN's first three albums are all classics in my opinion,and they hold a special place in my collection. Their fourth release "Let It Out" is a 4 star record but it's not as good as the first three. "Wiederhoren" was released in 1977 and it does seem more polished and lighter,it has some great moments though,but for me the magic is gone. "Just One Way" opens with percussion and congas before guitar,bass,drums then vocals take over.A fairly light opening track. "Vollgas Ahoi" is my favourite song on here,it's heavier and more intense.The bass is really prominant from Hattler.Check out the guitar after 3 minutes. "Silky Way" is just like the title implies.They slow it down for this smooth track.Lots of excellent bass though. "Rendezvous In Blue" is a light,catchy tune with lots of keys. "Let's Take A Ride" is my second favourite tune on here.We get some vocals for the first time since the opening song.Some cool intricate sounds 2 minutes in,while the keys shine a minute later. "Rund Um Die Uhr" opens with some guitar that reminds me of MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA.Some fuzz a minute in followed by more great guitar.This is a top three for me.An impressive instrumental. "Yaqui Yagua" has an eastern flavour early before a catchy melody takes over.Vocals 2 1/2 minutes in with some great bass a minute later.That catchy melody from earlier returns to end it. "Wiederhoren" builds to an uptempo melody.Some scorching guitar in this one.The drumming 4 1/2 minutes in is pretty intense. Good jazzy album from a band that has made some amazing albums prior to this.3.5 stars. KRAAN Wiederhören music reviews and MP3

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Just One Way (4:00)
2. Vollgas Ahoi
(6:07)
3. Silky Way (3:58)
4. Rendezvous in Blue (5:56)
5.
Let's take a Ride (5:19)
6. Rund um die Uhr (3:45)
7. Yaqui
Yagua (5:19)
8. Wiederhören (7:13)

Total Time: 41:37

Line-up / Musicians
- Ingo Bischof / keyboards
- Jan Fride
/ drums
- Helmut Hattler / bass
- Peter Wolbrandt / guitar,
vocals
+ Tommy Goldschmidt / congas, percussion

Kraan: Borgward

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Kraan - Wintrup (1972)

Definitely one of these krautrockers best albums, and for me a favourite of there's with stronger, tighter and more impressive songs than there debut.

Wintrup is full of memorable riffs, great jams and  powerfull jazzy krautrock psychedelia.

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Silver Wings (4:11) 

2. Mind Quake (7:40) 

3. Backs (6:40) 

4. Gut und richtig (7:33) 

5. Wintrup (5:21) 

6. Jack Steam (5:52) 

...Bonus track on EMI release: 

7. Fat Mr. Rich (5:43) (demo 1971, previous title: Jack Steam) 

Total Time: 43:00

Line-up / Musicians

- Jan Fride / drums 

- Helmut Hattler / bass 

- Johannes Pappert / Alto saxophone 

- Peter Wolbrandt / guitar, vocals

Kraan - 01 - Silverwings

Kraan - 05 - Wintrup

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Kraan - Live (1975)

I personally, don't think Kraan sounded better on a live album than this one. This is an amazing album and for anyone not familiar with this band this is probably the best introduction to them.

Not only do we have an excellent recording but the bass of "Helmut Hattler" and the rhythm guitar work of "Peter Wolbrandt" is very spectacular, as are the other members too. There's a brilliant version of "Kraan Arabia" which is as always a favourite, and many more great versions of there more familiar songs.


Essential Live Krautrock album!


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Songs / Tracks Listing

Record one (39:17):
1. Jerk of Life (5:09)
2. Nam Nam (15:09)
3. Holiday am Matterhorn including Gipfelsturm (12:59)
4. Sarahs Ritt durch den Schwarzwald (6:00)


Record two (38:29):
5. Andy Nogger (3:30)
6. Andy Nogger - Gutter King (6:59)
7. Hallo Ja Ja, I don't know (10:18)
8. Lonesome Liftboy (5:12)
9. Kraan Arabia (12:30)


Total Time: 77:46

Line-up / Musicians

- Jan Fride / drums
- Helmut Hattler / bass
- Johannes Pappert / Alto saxophone
- Peter Wolbrandt / guitar, vocals

Kraan - Jerk Of Life

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Kraan - Kraan (1972)

The legendary German krautrockers first album and definitely one of there best.

This is splendid jazz/rock fusion with excellent guitar/bass and sax which could be psychedelic/ prog one minute and then rock with east/west variations the next.

Every track is great and one of the highlights is "Kraan Arabia" which has an arabian sound with the wonderfully unique sax playing of "Johannes Pappert" whilst as ever the brilliant rhythm guitar of "Peter Wolfbrandt" and the ever tight drums/ percussives and bass work weave there magic.

One of the best bands to come out of Germany, and this there debut is a masterwork



Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Saras Ritt Durch Schwarzwald (6:23)
2. M.C.Escher (6:14)
3. Kraan Arabia (9:45)
4. Head (18:36)
5. Sara auf der Gansewies (2:01)

Total Time: 42:59
...Bonus tracks on EMI CD
6. Sarah's Ritt durch den Schwarzwald (Demo 1971)
7. M.C.Escher (Demo 1971)
8. Head (Demo 1971)
9. Sarah auf der Gänzwies (Demo 1971)

Line-up / Musicians

- Jan Fride / drums
- Hellmut Hattler / bass
- Johannes Pappert / Alto saxophone
- Peter Wolbrandt / guitar, vocals